by David Robinson

Created on: January 16, 2007   Last Updated: March 23, 2011

There are a lot of ways you can protect your files from viruses, here are just a few important and easy ways to help protect yourself.

The Most important one, BACKUP!

1. Keep all of your personal files and important information backed up. This can be anything from your MP3 and photo collection to your tax reports.

2. Use antivirus and firewall software. This does not guarantee that you are safe but makes it a hell of a lot better. It makes it harder for hackers to access your computer and viruses can be found and inmost cases removed. Also keep your software updated.

3. Keep your computer updated, turn automatic updates on. This will ensure you have the latest security updates and patches.

4. Use a separate hard disk or partition from the one you use for your system. Speaking purely from person experience, most viruses only infect the C: drive. If you have a separate drive for your files then they are less likely to be infected. This also means that you can format and re-install windows without losing all of your documents etc.

5. Scan your whole system regularly, I do mine once a week on a Friday night.

6. Be cautious of what you are downloading. When using P2P software like Limewire don't download files with small file sizes. If you are downloading a freeware DVD burning program for example and you find one that's only 50kb this is almost definitely a virus. Even better don't use P2P software it's riddled with infected files. The amount of times I have had to format and install windows again because of my 12 year old sisters downloading things from Limewire. Only download from trusted sites like download.com.

7. Don't visit malicious sites. What I mean by this is keygen and serial number search engines. Not only are these sites illegal and influencing piracy, they make money from all sorts of nasty programs which litter your computer with adverts and log what you are browsing.

8. If your kids are using your computer, make sure they don't download add-ons for MSN messenger or them stupid Make your own Zwinky things. They seem to be popular at the moment with my sisters and her friends and they all wonder why their computers are messed up.

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